Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Paula Deen: I’m not a racist — ‘No, I’m not’
Celebrity cook Paula Deen took to the airwaves Wednesday to give emotional testimony on NBC's "Today" show and fight back against charges that she's racist. Published June 26, 2013
Pope Francis tackles troubled Vatican bank, launches inquiry
Pope Francis on Wednesday named a special commission of inquiry to investigate the Vatican bank and the money-laundering accusations that have tainted the financial institution for months. Published June 26, 2013
Justice Dept. cuts funds for youth programs after leader refuses to ban prayer
A Louisiana sheriff is furious after the federal government cut funding for two programs that are aimed at helping troubled teens because he refused to quit praying at the meetings. Published June 26, 2013
Fireworks in N.Y. as Bloomberg blasts Cuomo’s push to legalize sparklers
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pressuring Gov. Andrew Cuomo to put a stop to a state lawmaker's move to legalize the sale of sparklers outside city limits. Published June 26, 2013
Rep. Maxine Waters, former Snoop Dogg rapper join for anti-gun talks
Rep. Maxine Waters and the rapper formally known as Snoop Dogg have joined for an anti-gun, anti-violence push that will bring them to a round-table discussion on the effects of gun-related violence on society in Los Angeles on Saturday. Published June 26, 2013
Eyes on Iran: President-elect Hasan Rouhani touts direct nuclear talks with U.S.
Iran's President-elect Hasan Rouhani said the only way to break the nation's nuclear standoff with the world, and bring about an end to economic sanctions, is to engage in one-on-one talks with the United States. Published June 26, 2013
Smith & Wesson gun maker doubles earnings over past months
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., one of the nation's foremost gun manufacturers, has more than doubled its earnings in the past few months. Published June 26, 2013
ACLJ suit against IRS grows to 41 groups
The American Center for Law and Justice amended its lawsuit in federal court against the Internal Revenue Service to add another 16 tea party and conservative groups on its plaintiff list — bringing the total of aggrieved to 41. Published June 26, 2013
Palin: Voters won’t forget Sens. Rubio’s, Ayotte’s immigration betrayal
Former Alaska governor and tea party darling Sarah Palin said Sens. Marco Rubio and Kelly Ayotte better watch out come election time: Voters angry with their support of an immigration bill seen as a cave on amnesty will likely voice their displeasure at the polls. Published June 26, 2013
White House doors opened for pro-Hamas Islamic scholar: report
President Obama heads met with a top Islamic scholar with ties to the terrorist group Hamas inside the White House earlier this month. Published June 26, 2013
Marc Rich dies: ‘King of Commodities’ known for President Bill Clinton pardon
Marc Rich, the "King of Commodities" trader who fled to Switzerland in 1983 to avoid federal prosecution on more than 50 fraud and racketeering charges — and who was pardoned by President Bill Clinton in 2001 — died Wednesday at the age of 78. Published June 26, 2013
Prayers for Nelson Mandela turn to pleas for ‘peaceful end’
The tone of prayers for South Africa's former president, Nelson Mandela, who is hospitalized has changed over the last few days from entreaties of comfort and healing to pleas for a "peaceful end." Published June 26, 2013
Paula Deen’s sons rally, call racism charges ‘extortion’
Paula Deen, the celebrity chef who's fending off a public relations disaster that finds her guilty of racism, now has a couple staunch defenders coming forward — her two sons. Published June 25, 2013
Monica Lewinski lingerie heads to auction
A Portland, Ore., teacher who had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky at the same time she was engaging in illicit acts with President Bill Clinton is now auctioning off several artifacts tied to the rendezvous — including, at least one sample of her lingerie. Published June 25, 2013
Justice Department blocks sale of $11.5 million Picasso artwork
The U.S. Department of Justice blocked the sale of a Pablo Picasso painting worth about $11.5 million as a concession to Italian authorities who are investigating a couple on fraud and embezzlement. Published June 25, 2013
Gunman ambushes 2 Los Angeles detectives returning to the police station
A gunman dressed completely in black surprised two detectives who were returning to their Los Angeles police station on Tuesday, ambushing them and firing shots. Published June 25, 2013
NAACP takes a stand at George Zimmerman trial: ‘No one tells us … what to do’
Members of the NAACP rallying around the Trayvon Martin family at George Zimmerman's trial for second-degree murder, which continued Tuesday, said they wouldn't stay within the marked protest area set up by law enforcement. Published June 25, 2013
Tax-bill debate sparks lawmaker brawl in Taiwan
A brawl broke out Tuesday in a parliamentary session in Taiwan as angry lawmakers scuffled over a tax bill — belying the remarks of a visiting Chinese activist who was hailing the island's democracy in the very next room. Published June 25, 2013
Men’s Wearhouse breaks silence: George Zimmer fired over power-hungry push
Men's Wearhouse directors caved to public pressures to explain last week's sudden firing of George Zimmer, the company's founder and former executive chairman, painting him as a power-hungry leader who was straying from company principles. Published June 25, 2013
Iran commander: Syria conflict will end when Israel falls
A commander in one of Iran's volunteer military units said that the world will know when the conflict in Syria ends — it will be marked by the fall of Israel. Published June 25, 2013
